David Perron gives the Dallas Stars another veteran option up front, but the newly signed winger will need to wait before joining the club on the ice.
The Stars signed Perron to a one-year contract worth $850,000 on Friday, adding a 38-year-old forward entering his 20th NHL season. Perron has been an unrestricted free agent since July 1 and arrives as Dallas manages an extended absence for Matt Duchene, who is expected to miss three months following core muscle surgery.
Dallas adds playoff-tested veteran
Perron has built one of the NHL’s longest active résumés, with 1,239 regular-season games across stints with the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators.
- Regular season: 332 goals, 480 assists and 812 points.
- Stanley Cup Playoffs: 26 goals, 38 assists and 64 points in 110 games.
- Stanley Cup: won with St. Louis in 2019.
- Drafted: No. 26 overall by the Blues in the 2007 NHL Draft.
Last season, Perron recorded 13 goals and 15 assists in 65 games between Ottawa and Detroit. He scored three times in 16 games for the Red Wings after Detroit acquired him in a March 5 trade.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan pointed to Perron’s work along the boards, his ability to protect the puck and his understanding of the game as key reasons for the addition.
“The veteran presence is obvious, but his play stands out too,” Gulutzan said. “He is strong on pucks along the walls, has a tremendous hockey IQ and competes. That is why we brought him in.”
Visa delay keeps Perron out in Chicago
- Perron agreed to the one-year deal with Dallas on Friday.
- He will not travel into the lineup for Saturday’s road game against the Chicago Blackhawks because of visa issues.
- Once available, Perron will need several practices to get acclimated to the Stars’ pace and systems.
The Stars, 3-3-1, visit Chicago on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on Prime Video and CHSN.
Gulutzan said Perron’s versatility should help Dallas once he is cleared and up to speed. Perron has played both wings during his career, giving the Stars another adaptable piece as they cover for Duchene’s absence.
“He has played on either side,” Gulutzan said. “He is the definition of a hockey player. He can handle both wings, and his intelligence and competitiveness are the biggest benefits for us.”
Leadership and scoring touch
General manager Jim Nill said Perron’s experience in major games, leadership and skill fit a Stars group chasing a Stanley Cup.
“We are excited to welcome David and his family to the Stars organization,” Nill said. “He has a competitive approach and has shown he can deliver in important moments. His leadership and abilities will add value as we keep pushing toward a Stanley Cup.”
Captain Jamie Benn has spent years on the opposite side of Perron and knows the edge he can bring to a lineup.
“He has a lot of experience, he is smart and he has plenty of skill,” Benn said. “He gives us some more scoring ability. In his 20th year, he brings leadership and experience. I played against him for a long time, and he was not much fun to play against. He has grit, which is great, and he will be very good for our club.”
